Statement by the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem
The February 14 statement from the Churches of Jerusalem calls attention to the responsibilities of Christians to extend their compassion to people in the Holy Land.
In the statement, the Churches say they “raise our voices in sorrow and steadfast resolve in the face of the ongoing suffering in Gaza”.
“The devastation that has unfolded before the eyes of the world is a profound moral and humanitarian tragedy,” the statement said.
“Thousands of innocent lives have been lost, and entire communities stand in ruin, with the most vulnerable – children, the elderly, and the sick – enduring unimaginable hardship”.
Reporting of fatalities in Gaza ceased in October 2024, at which point over 48,000 people had been reported dead, including over 13,000 children, with thousands of people missing.
Responding to the possible future of Gaza, the Churches of Jerusalem said, “Amid this anguish, we are compelled to speak against the grave threat of mass displacement, an injustice that strikes at the very heart of human dignity.
“The people of Gaza, families who have lived for generations in the land of their ancestors, must not be forced into exile, stripped of whatever is left of their homes, their heritage, and their right to remain in the land that forms the essence of their identity.
“As Christians, we cannot be indifferent to such suffering, for the Gospel commands us to uphold the dignity of every human being. The words of our Lord remind us: “Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed”.
STATEMENT BY THE PATRIARCHS AND HEADS OF CHURCHES IN JERUSALEM – Jerusalem Patriarchate – News Gate
Further reading:
The film ‘Via Dolorosa: The Path Of Sorrows’ tells Christians in Palestine’s story | WCC | oikoumene.org | 19 February 2025
Palestinian delegation visits WCC with focus on faith, hope, and action | WCC | oikoumene.org | 19 February 2025